Conference League Player Ratings and Match Highlights

Strasbourg defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday evening.

Although there were no goals scored in the opening 30 minutes of the match, it was turning out to be an incredibly entertaining, end-to-end and fast-paced match. Both sides were showing plenty of promise in the final third, especially in the wide areas, which was shown when Sebastien Nanasi had the best chance of the first half up to this point in the 14th minute, when he came close to scoring from close range. Although Strasbourg probably had the best chance of the opening 30 minutes, Crystal Palace were very much in the match.

In the 35th minute, the deadlock was broken, and it was broken by Palace. The goal was somewhat against the run of play, as Strasbourg were the better side up until this point, however, the visitors would not have cared one bit. The ball was played into Jean-Philippe Mateta, and the big striker produced some excellent hold-up play and fed the ball through to Tyrick Mitchell, who slotted a low and powerful finish into the bottom corner past Mike Penders to make it 1-0 to Palace.

Just two minutes after going 1-0 up, Palace almost doubled their lead. The Strasbourg goalkeeper, Penders, who had several shaky moments coming far out of his goal in the first half, was caught out yet again, and Ismaila Sarr shot from around 35 yards out, but his long-range effort hit the post. This chance for Palace probably signalled a wake-up call to Penders to stop playing so high up and taking so many risks, as it seemed only a matter of time before he cost his side a goal.

The first half came to a close with the visitors, Palace, in a 1-0 lead.

Just eight minutes after the restart, Strasbourg netted an equalising goal. The move was wonderfully worked with several Strasbourg players combining for it, but the two main players involved were Diego Moreira and Emanuel Emegha. Moreira was played through on the left flank, and he put a picture-perfect cross into the path of Emegha, who hit his shot into the ground, but it ended up in the back of the net anyway to make it 1-1.

On the hour mark, Strasbourg were caught playing out from the back yet again, and once again, Palace hit the woodwork. Ismael Doukoure lost his footing on the edge of the box, which saw the ball fall to Adam Wharton, who had pretty much an open goal to shoot at as once again Penders was out of position, but his strike cannoned off the crossbar when he really should’ve scored.

In the 75th minute, Penders redeemed himself for the few heart-in-mouth moments he had when he produced a brilliant save to deny Yeremi Pino from close range. The Spaniard had plenty of time to decide where to put the ball, and he chose the near post, but the young goalkeeper was equal to it.

Almost immediately after Penders’ save, Strasbourg went down the other end of the pitch and took the lead. Julio Enciso stepped up to take a free kick just on the edge of Palace’s box, and his effort hit the post, but it fell perfectly to Samir El Mourabet, who tapped it home to make it 2-1 to Strasbourg with just under 15 minutes to go.

Strasbourg successfully saw out the match to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1.

Match Highlights

To follow soon…

Strasbourg Player Ratings

GK: Mike Penders – 6.5/10

Looked like he was about to make a mistake or get caught out of position plenty of times throughout the match. The young goalkeeper was caught out several times, but was bailed out by the woodwork. Despite having several shaky moments, he did manage to produce a few really good saves.

RWB: Guela Doue – 6.5/10

Defensively solid and played with energy, but never really created anything in the final third like Moreira did on the opposite flank.

CB: Lucas Hogsberg – 4/10

Substituted after just 43 minutes following a really poor start to the match. The young Dane was bullied by Mateta and really struggled to deal with his hold-up play and general physicality, as was shown with Palace’s opening goal.

CB: Mamadou Sarr – 7/10

Saw plenty of the ball at his feet and never really put a foot wrong. Despite a shaky start to the match, Sarr rebounded and competed well against Mateta.

CB: Ismael Doukoure – 6.5/10

Never really put a foot wrong defensively, but with the ball at his feet, Doukoure had several really shaky moments and almost made a huge mistake when he lost the ball on the hour mark, and Wharton hit the crossbar.

LWB: Diego Moreira – 8.5/10 (Man of the Match)

A superb, energetic performance up and down the left flank. Moreira didn’t have much to do defensively, but going forward, he was outstanding. The Belgian was a constant threat down the wing with his pace and dribbling, and provided an excellent assist for Emegha’s goal.

CM: Samir El Mourabet – 8/10

A delight to watch at times. Not only did the Moroccan get on the scoresheet, but he controlled the midfield at times and had an almost perfect blend of flair and hard work.

CM: Valentin Barco – 7.5/10

Played with huge amounts of energy in the midfield and caused Palace lots of problems with his pressing.

RW: Julio Enciso – 7/10

Had a pretty quiet first half, but really got into the game in the second. Enciso played a big part in Strasbourg’s second goal, as his free kick, which hit the pos,t landed right at the feet of El Mourabet.

ST: Emanuel Emegha – 8/10

Took his goal very well and was a real handful for the Palace defenders to deal with due to his strength and hold-up play.

LW: Sebastien Nanasi – 6.5/10

Started the match very brightly after going close to scoring inside 15 minutes. Despite his bright start, Nanasi didn’t really go on to do much for the remainder of his time on the pitch.

SUB: Ben Chilwell – 5.5/10

Didn’t offer much in the final third and really struggled to deal with Sarr at times.

SUB: Kendry Paez – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Joaquin Panichelli – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Andrew Omobamidele – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

Crystal Palace Player Ratings

GK: Dean Henderson – 7.5/10

Produced a phenomenal save in the second half to deny Strasbourg what looked to be a guaranteed goal. The Englishman produced several saves throughout the match, which kept the scoreline low.

RWB: Daniel Munoz – 6.5/10

Struggled to deal with Moreira at times, but he stayed in the match and was a threat in the final third as well.

CB: Jaydee Canvot – 5.5/10

Looked to struggle quite a bit when coming across to help Munoz against Moreira. The youngster was decent on the ball but defensively shaky at times.

CB: Maxence Lacroix – 6.5/10

Produced some important defensive actions such as clearances and blocks. The big defender missed a very good opportunity in the 60th minute, which he probably should’ve at least got on target.

CB: Marc Guehi – 7.5/10

Taken off at half-time as part of a planned change to see Richards play 45 minutes. During his time on the pitch, Guehi didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and was also very good with the ball at his feet.

LWB: Tyrick Mitchell – 7.5/10

Didn’t see that much of the ball down the left flank as he typically does, but he took his goal very well and was defensively sound.

CM: Jefferson Lerma – 6.5/10

Worked hard and put in plenty of tackles in the midfield, but didn’t really do much with the ball at his feet.

CM: Will Hughes – 6/10

Forced off after just 31 minutes following an injury to his knee.

RW: Ismaila Sarr – 8/10

Palace’s most dangerous attacking threat by far. Sarr relentlessly ran at Strasbourg almost every time he picked up the ball and created some really good chances for his teammates.

ST: Jean-Philippe Mateta – 7.5/10

The big Frenchman had some excellent moments of hold-up play, but he was quite wasteful in front of goal. Mateta also produced a brilliant assist for Mitchell’s opening goal.

LW: Yeremi Pino – 7/10

Missed a golden opportunity in the 76th minute, which he really should’ve scored. Away from his bad miss, Pino put in a pretty good, well-rounded performance.

SUB: Adam Wharton – 7/10

Replaced Hughes well and put in a solid midfield display. Wharton really should’ve had a goal to his name, though, as he hit the crossbar after Strasbourg made a mistake at the back.

SUB: Chris Richards – 7/10

Produced lots of important defensive actions after coming on to replace Guehi at half-time.

SUB: Edward Nketiah – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.

SUB: Daichi Kamada – N/A

Didn’t do much after coming on.